In late 1944 and 1945 the Panther tank played an important role in Germany’s desperate efforts to stem the Allied advance on the Western Front. The Panther, perhaps the best armoured vehicle produced by Germany during the Second World War, was a key element in the Wehrmacht’s defensive tactics, in rearguard actions and counter-attacks, and it took a prominent part in the last German offensive of the war, in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge.

So it is an ideal subject for Dennis Oliver’s latest volume in the TankCraft series. He uses archive photos and extensively researched colour illustrations to examine the Panther tanks and units of the German army and Waffen-SS panzer battalions that struggled to resist the Allied onslaught.

A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined providing everything the modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic tanks.

Another excellent addition to the TankCraft series and a useful reference for modellers of this popular model subject as well, as there are some very good models of the Panther om the market these days. Good value for money and well worth having on any AFV modellers bookshelf.

This is a great addition to the range of books covering tanks and authored by Dennis Oliver has made a stunning offering with this title considering the amount of space he had available and he has authored a title that all modellers should make space for in their library. The Panther tank is one of those tanks that have a huge appeal and this book from Pen and Sword is a great addition to the range. The cost of £11.99 is an absolute steal for what is offered and I cannot fault it in any way.

Panther Tanks, German Army and Waffen-SS, Defence of the West, 1945" is the title of the 18th volume of Pen & Sword's TankCraft series, written by Dennis Oliver. He's become quite the master in combining historical fact with relevant photographs and blending in details for the scale modeller.
The scale modelling sections are filled with 121 colour photos. Models by Sheng Hui, Lim Kian Guan, and Luciano Rodriguez are pictured and scale model kits by Airfix, Amusing Hobby, Dragon, Hobby Boss, Italeri, Meng, Revell, Rye Field, Takom, Tamiya, and Trumpeter are discussed as well as 17 manufacturers of after market details in photo etch, resin and white metal. This is an excellent reference and well researched.

Japanese Aviation Society

This is the second Panther book from Dennis Oliver in the Tank Craft series and as with the first volume, that looks at the Panther in Normandy, the high standard is maintained. This book will prove inspirational for model makers building the Panther in this period. The numerous photographs of the Panther abandoned by the roadside tell the story of the final campaign for this AFV and the final picture of a Panther Ausf G flipped over on to its roof by a US Army bulldozer to clear a road is particularly poignant. Highly recommended to model makers and historians interested in German AFVs in the latter stages of the Second World War.

MAFVA

As regards useful info and inspiration, etc, these books are fab. And I'd highly recommend them.

I find that this series of which I have already reviewed some books is an excellent balance between the interest of the historian and that of the model maker. The books in a few pages are technical enough to be useful to the modeller who has already seen everything and to the historian who wants to know some more details, but as written above, the photos, both those of the vehicle and those of the kits, provide a mix which makes the books of this series an excellent starting point and an excellent investment for the enthusiasts.

Dennis Oliver is the author of over twenty books on Second World War armoured vehicles including Codename Swallow: British Sherman Tanks at Alamein, To The Last Bullet: Germany's War on 3 Fronts, Westwall: German Armour in the West 1945, Viking Summer and A Sound Like Thunder.